Abstract
Reproduction is a complex process that is substantially affected by environmental cues, specifically feed/diet and its components. Farm animals as herbivorous animals are exposed to a large amount of polyphenols present in their natural feeding system, in alternative feed resources (shrubs, trees, and agro-industrial byproducts), and in polyphenol-enriched additives. Such exposure has increased because of the well-known antioxidant properties of polyphenols. However, to date, the argumentation around the impacts of polyphenols on reproductive events is debatable. Accordingly, the intensive inclusion of polyphenols in the diets of breeding animals and in media for assisted reproductive techniques needs further investigation, avoiding any source of reproductive waste and achieving maximum benefits. This review illustrates recent findings connecting dietary polyphenols consumption from different sources (conventional and unconventional feeds) with the reproductive performance of farm animals, underpinned by the findings of in vitro studies in this field. This update will help in formulating proper diets, optimizing the introduction of new plant species, and feed additives for improving reproductive function, avoiding possible reproductive wastes and maximizing possible benefits.
Highlights
The livestock production is currently challenged by environmental issues and consumers’ attitude and lifestyle
The present review aims to illustrate recent findings connecting both dietary polyphenols consumption from different sources and reproductive performance of farm animals, and the available information on the use of the compounds for assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs)
It is assumed that the content of polyphenols in the animal products is lower than that in the plants; polyphenols of animal origin are of particular importance due to the presence of considerable concentrations of mammalian polyphenols, which could not be directly obtained by consumption of plants as their synthesis depends on the action of human and/or animal gut microflora
Summary
The livestock production is currently challenged by environmental issues and consumers’ attitude and lifestyle. Many studies have confirmed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, metabolism- and immunity-modulatory activities of polyphenols, and antihelminthic, antimethanogenic and antimicrobial effects [1], which are of particular importance in livestock production [2,3] These properties encourage research and awareness for the use of these secondary metabolites as natural tools to improve animal performance and animal product quality. The benefits may be more questionable in breeding animals; mainly because improper polyphenols intake may affect the reproductive performance of the parents but may induce effects on the progeny, due to epigenetic changes affecting gene expression/programming and the future performance and health/disease status of the offspring [14] These epigenetic effects may occur by parenteral exposure, and through application of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) in which polyphenols, aiming its antioxidant or antibacterial effects, are included in the media of cryopreserved or cultured gametes/embryos [3,15,16]. This update aims to report the current knowledge on the field and set the scenario for subsequent studies focused on formulating proper diets and introducing new plant species/materials and feed additives in an adequate approach to the reproductive function/stage of the animals, avoiding possible reproductive risks and maximizing possible benefits
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